r 


xepensive 

== =For^ 


Resources 


Small  Libraries 


r 


ANGE  V.  MILNER 
State  Normal  University 
Normal,  111. 


ad  before  Illinois  Library  Association,  Springfield, 
3.  1906. 


. \ 

Id  u 


Inexpensive  Resources  for  Small 
Libraries* 

If  I were  fitting  up  the  reference  de- 
lartment  of  a new  “small  ’ library  any- 
where in  Illinois,  the  first  two  books  I 
hould  ask  for  would  be  the  latest  edi- 
ion  of  the  unabridged  International 
lictionary,  costing  about  ^8,  and  the 
:urrent  volume  of  the  Daily  news  al- 
nanac,  costing  30  cents.  I never  real- 
ized how  many  different  questions  an 
mabridged  dictionary  could  answer, 
imtil  I had  a bright  country  boy  for  a 
/student  assistant.”  I think  his  school 
library  must  have  contained  few  books 
aesides  that  dictionary  He  went  to  it 
for  almost  every  kind  of  information, 
and  found  it,  too.  Further  experience 
has  taught  me  that  nearly  everything 
that  is  not  in  the  dictionary  is  in  the 
almanac— current  events,  recent  statis- 
tics, government  institutions,  etc.,  all 
treated  concisely  and  satisfactorily,.^^ 
almanac  making  a specialty  of  Illinois. 

Having  these  two  books,  what  should 
:we  ask  for  next?  If  we  decide  to  have 
a good  cyclopedia,  we  want  to  know 
which  to  choose.  If  we  begin  to  con- 
sider a cheap  one,  we  find  that  the  dic- 
tionary and  almanac  have  reliable  infor- 


Reprinted  from  July  1906  Public  Libraries. 


mation  on  a greater  number  of  subjects 
and  we  don’t  need  the  unnecessary  wordj 
or  the  red  and  yellow  pictures  of  the 
cheap  cyclopedia. 

We  have  begun  with  two  first-rate 
books.  From  the  standpoint  of  the 
small  library  the  unabridged  dictionary 
niay  typify  the  line  of  standard,  expen- 
sive reference  works  that  we  shall  need, 
while  the  little  almanac  stands  for  the 
line  of  small,  inexpensive  publications 
that  are  also  necessary.  Having  sys- 
tematized our  plans  to  that  extent,  we 
look  for  reliable  book  lists  to  help  in 
making  specific  selections.  Then  again,^ 
the  department  may  be  greatly  aug- 
mented by  valuable  publications  to  be 
had  for  the  asking  or  for  the  cost  of 
transportation.  We  must  find  what 
these  are,  and  how  to  get  them,  and 
whether  they  will  fully  take  the  place  of 
any  books  that  we  should  otherwise 
have  to  buy. 

We  fully  appreciate  the  facts  that 
wise  management  means  more  money 
for  books,  and  skillful  arrangement  and 
cataloging  greatly  augment  the  value  of 
a small  collection.  We  are  anxious  to 
accomplish  these  according  to  methods 
that  experts  will  pronounce  correct,  that 
will  prove  satisfactory  in  our  own  libra- 
ries, and  that  will  come  within  the 
powers  of  a library  force  perhaps  even 
smaller  than  the  library,  and  probably. 


4 


ke  the  reference  books  thus  far  se- 
cted.  numbering  only  two. 

Thus  we  find  that  before  selecting 
ook  number  three,  we  need  to  consider 
nnotated  book  lists,  free  publications, 
nd  library  economy  as  adapted  to  small 
ibraries.  My  plan  is  to  speak  of  sorne 
if  the  things  that  I have  found  partic- 
larly  useful  to  a librarian  trained  only 
y friendly  advice,  observation,  and 
xperience  in  a small  but  growing  and 
ery  active  library. 

First,  the  library  economy ; a variable 
cience  depending  much  on  personality, 
nvironment,  income,  and  immediate 
leeds,  but  having  a sound  basis  in  its 
.im  to  promote  “the  best  reading  for 
he  most  people  at  the  least  expense.” 

There  are  three  books  that  seem  to  me 
he  simplest,  clearest,  and  best  adapted 
o a beginner.  They  are  Mr  Dana  s Li- 
irary  primer;  Miss  Hitchler  s A.  L.  A. 
ibrary  tract.  Cataloging  for  small  libra- 
’ies;  and  Mr  Wyer's  New  York  state  li* 

xary  bulletin.  United  States  government 

documents.  Would  that  all  our  other 
duties  were  treated  bysimilar  handbooks 
ind  with  equal  clearness,  showing  why 
to  do  things,  how  to  do  them,  and  what 
to  omit. 

Next  comes  the  A.  L.  A.  catalog  for 
1904,  with  its  select,  annotated  lists. 
We  can  check  it  and  our  library  is  tem- 
porarily cataloged.  We  can  turn  to  it 

5 


for  a guide  in  buying,  classifying,  and; 
cataloging.  True,  its  classification  is 
sometimes  exasperating,  but  then  our 
refuge  is  to  fall  back  on  Mr  Dewey’s 
explanation  that  a book  is  to  be  classi- 
fied wherever  it  will  be  most  useful,  and 
put  it  there  with  a clear  conscience. 
Our  needs  are  sometimes  different  from 
those  of  the  Albany  library  school. 

With  these  four  books,  costing  all 
together  $i.8o,  we  have  covered  the 
ground  once  and  can  go  to  work.  We 
shall  buy  the  standard  tools  as  we  need 
them,  Classification,  Library  school 
rules,  and  all  the  rest.  A small  pam- 
phlet. How  to  catalog  my  library%  to  be 
had  for  the  asking,  and  Esther  Craw- 
ford’s pamphlet.  Cataloging,  to  be  had 
for  25  cents,  both  from  the  Library  Bu- 
reau, contain  reliable  information  on 
that  subject. 

There  are  other  helpful  little  things 
written  especially  for  our  use.  Miss 
Plummer’s  Hints  to  small  libraries,  and 
several  A.  L.  A.  library  tracts,  each 
bringing  its  own  message  in  its  own  best 
way.  If  we  are  going  to  work  With  the 
schools  we  shall  need  the  N.  E.  A. 
Report  of  the  committee  on  the  re- 
lations of  public  libraries  and  public 
schools.  It  covers  that  subject  better 
than  anything  else  I know  of,  and  costs 
1 5 cents.  We  can  not  keep  up  with  the 
times  without  a library  magazine,  and 

6 


ortunately  the  needs  of  the  smaller  li- 
jraries  and  the  interests  of  the  Middle 
A^est  are  especially  considered  by  Pub- 
lic Libraries,  which  is  comfortably  in- 
expensive. The  new  periodical,  IjibTdTy 
work,  is  a helpful  little  thing,  to  be  had 
:or  the  asking — a friendly  message  from 
;he  H.  W.  Wilson  Company. 

By  the  time  we  have  begun  to  use 
these  things  to  advantage  we  are  ready 
for  some  economical  library  tools  that  at 
first  sound  decidedly  expensive.  Think 
for  a moment  of  those  libraries  where 
clubs,  teachers,  pupils,  and  all  the  rest 
come  for  their  reference  work.  Funds 
are  limited  and  the  earnest,  overworked 
librarians  examine  books  and  magazines, 
depend  on  their  memories,  make  refer- 
ence lists  and  catalog  as  they  can. 
Consider  the  time  and  strength  thus 
expended  in  one  year;  the  resulting- 
weariness  and  the  nervous  anxiety  be- 
cause of  the  work  crowded  out;  the  li- 
brary itself  unable  to  give  all  the  help 
for  which  it  really  has  the  resources,  be- 
cause of  the  constant  hindrance  of  work 
undone,  and  the  deprivations  caused  by 
material  unclassified  and  uncataloged. 
Which  is  the  more  costly,  such  methods 
as  these  or  an  investment  in  magazine 
indexes.  Library  of  congress  cards,  and 
a typewriter? 

So  much  for  library  economy.  Now 
let  us  turn  to  bibliographies.  As  you 


7 


know,  there  are  excellent  ones  in  some, 
of  the  publications  already  specified.- 
Of  the  many  others  useful  to  us,  I shall 
only  mention  a few.  We  are  under 
great  obligations  to  the  A.  L.  A.  Pub- 
lishing board  for  their  consideration  of 
our  especial  needs.  Their  Books  tor 
boys  and  girls^  by  Miss  Hewins,  is  a first- 
class  list  of  juvenile  literature,  costing  1 5 
cents.  Their  Guide.to  reference  books, 
by  Miss  Kroeger,  will  be  of  much  service 
in  helping  to  select  that  third  and  the 
nc  xt  succeeding  books  for  the  reference 
department  we  are  considering.  The 
monthly  numbers  of  the  A.  L.  A.  booklist 
keep  us  closely  up  to  date,  and  inform  us 
of  the  valuable  bibliographies  that  the 
large  libraries  publish,  and  that  they  fur- 
nish so  generously  to  the  small  ones. 
The  best  lists  of  books  for  school  libra- 
ries apply  directly  to  our  needs.  Nota- 
ble among  these  are  two:  The  list  of 
books  for  township  libraries  is  published 
by  the  Wisconsin  state  superintendent 
of  education  for  25  cents,  and  Annie 
Carroll  Moore’s  List  of  books  for  a chil- 
dren’s library  is  published  by  the  Iowa 
library  commission  for  ID  cents.  The 
Illinois  federation  of  women’s  clubs  has 
considered  the  needs  of  Illinois  children 
in  a list.  Books  for  the  children  and  the 
home,  costing  6 cents.  It  may  be  con- 
venient to  know  that  the  School  ?ieu's  is 
about  to  publish  a Brief  list  of  reference 


8 


>ooks  for  schools  below  the  high  school, 
rhis  was  prepared  in  our  library,  and  I 
hall  be  glad  to  mail  a copy  to  any  one 
ending  in  a “self-addressed  stamped 
nvelope.'’  Another  local  bibliography 
)f  importance  is  by  Mrs  Jessie  Palmer 
^^'eber  on  Illinois  state  history.  It  is 
)ublished  as  Circular  No.  i of  the  Illi- 
lois  state  historical  library,  and  is  for 
ree  distribution.  Some  of  the  bibliog- 
aphies  from  the  Library  of  congress 
:over  popular  topics  and  aid  greatly  in 
)ur  reference  work. 

While  this  memorandum  might  be 
extended  indefinitely,  the  bibliographies 
nentioned  will  serve  as  an  introduction 
o the  entire  field,  and  show  us  that  ex- 
ictly  the  help  we  need  is  at  hand  and 
vithin  our  means. 

The  two  classes  of  resources  thus  far 
:onsidered,  library  economy  and  ele- 
nentary  bibliography,  have  consisted 
essentially  of  tools  for  the  librarian. 
Dur  third  subject,  Free  publications,  in- 
dudes books  and  pamphlets  for  the 
benefit  of  our  readers.  A carefully 
:hosen  supply  of  these  may  change  our 
)ther  selections  somewhat  and  make 
)ur  dollars  go  farther. 

How  about  beginning  with  a travel- 
ng  library — or  two?  We  have  the  Illi- 
lois  farmers’  institute  and  the  Illinois 
federation  of  women’s  clubs  to  draw 
apon.  Both  furnish  libraries  for  gen- 
» 


9 


eral  reading,  and  the  State  federation 
has  some  sets  on  purpose  to  help  wom-i 
en’s  clubs.  The  expense  is  only  that  of 
transportation.  The  Farmers’  institute 
at  Springfield  distributes  a catalog.  In 
formation  about  the  State  federation  li 
braries  may  be  obtained  from  the  chair- 
man of  that  committee,  Mrs  Evelyn  E. 
Jones,  Henry,  111. 

But  loans  are  by  no  means  all  that 
the  state  offers  for  our  assistance.  Are 
you  being  called  upon  for  information 
about  Illinois  history,  geography,  and 
civics?  Perhaps  you  have  noticed  the 
helpfulness  of  the  Illinois  Blue  books 
and  the  information  about  our  geog- 
raphy, geology,  and  state  institutions  tc 
be  found  in  the  report  of  the  Illinois 
world's  fair  commissioners  for  1893 
Have  you  a copy  of  their  World’s  fail 
report  for  1904?  It  was  only  printed  ir 
a limited  edition,  but  is  ver}^  desirable 
There  is  a state  geological  map  in  th( 
State  farmers’  institute  report  for  1903 
that  is  highly  appreciated  by  scientists 
and  the  entire  set  is  valuable  in  a refer 
ence  library.  The  publications  of  th( 
State  historical  association  are  valuable 
and  interesting  Then  there  are  the 
publications  of  state  institutions,  the  re 
ports  and  other  scientific  works  of  the 
State  entomologist,  the  monographs  is 
sued  in  serial  form  by  the  University  o 
Illinois,  and  by  the  several  state  nor 


10 


lals.  These  special  publications  are 
0 be  had  from  the  institutions  issuing 
hem.  Those  by  the  state  are  supplied 
>y  the  secretary  of  state,  and  all  cost 
»nly  the  price  of  transportation. 

While  Illinois  provides  so  much,  the 
Jnited  States  government  does  infinite- 
y more,  and  without  even  charging  us 
or  transportation.  If  public  documents 
vere  supplied  with  less  freedom  and 
nore  system,  our  involuntary  thought 
vould  not  so  frequently  be  of  them  as  a 
nass  of  dusty  library  lumber,  encumber- 
ng  the  shelves,  and  puzzling  the  brains 
ind  vexing  the  spirit  of  the  busy  libra- 
ian.  Are  our  constituents  interested  in 
:alifornia,  birds,  or  gardening;  Cuba, 
ruit  growing  or  forestry;  education, 
)ure  food,  or  Canada  thistles;  niosqui- 
oes,  statistics,  or  the  Philippine  islands? 
There  is  reliable,  illustrated  literature 
)n  each  of  these  and  hundreds  of  other 
mbjects.  Almost  all  may  be  had  free 
Trough  our  co-ngressman,  and  all  are 
Decoming  more  and  more  accessible  by 
neans  of  the  Document  catalog,  and 
;he  cards  from  the  Department  of  agri- 
:ulture,  the  Library  of  congress,  and  the 
^ L.  A.  Publishing  board. 

Our  problem  is  how  to  protect  our- 
jelves  from  the  mass  of  public  docu- 
ments that  we  don’t  want;  how  to  find 
3ut  what  there  is  that  we  do  want;  how 
:o  secure  it  and  make  it  accessible  to 

1 1 


the  public.  The  helps  are  at  hand  as 
never  before.  First  get  a copy  of  Mr 
Wyer’s  Bulletin  on  United  States  gov- 
ernment documents,  to  which  I have 
already  referred,  and  use  it  for  a guide 
Write  to  the  superintendent  of  docu- 
ments and  to  each  department  for  their 
latest  lists  of  publications  for  free  dis- 
tribution and  for  sale.  To  keep  up  to 
date  on  the  subject,  ask  the  Department 
of  agriculture  to  send  regularly  its 
monthly  list  of  publications,  and  sub- 
scribe for  Govcrumciit public ationSy  a little 
periodical  costing  50  cents  a year,  and 
published  at  510  Twelfth  st.,  Washing- 
ton. It  describes  both  United  States 
and  state  publications  that  are  of  inter- 
est to  the  public.  The  Free  library  of 
Philadelphia  has  also  begun  issuing  se- 
lect monthly  lists,  but  they  are  more 
limited  in  scope  and  more  expensiv^e 
than  the  one  from  Washington. 

If  we  have  done  nothing  whatever 
with  the  government  publications  that 
happen  to  be  on  hand,  we  are  ready  to 
follow  these  guides  to  the  letter.  If  we 
have  already  begun  on  them,  we  have 
met  difficulties  that  will  make  us  appre- 
ciate these  helps  and  use  them  all  the 
more  intelligently.  In  either  case  we 
shall  soon  appreciate  the  fact  that  a rich 
store  of  resources  is  open  before  us 
which  will  greatly  increase  the  power 
for  usefulness  of  our  libraries. 


12 


i Not  long  ago,  I had  a letter  asking 
dvice  about  spending  ^lo  for  a school 
ibrary.  I wanted  to  write  of  how  it 
night  be  further  increased  with  a few 
'overnment  publications  and  some  of 
he  advertising  booklets  that  are  so  use- 
ul  for  school  and  club  work.  All  of  you 
:now  what  they  are,  the  illustrated 
)Ooklets  issued  by  railways  and  large 
nanufacturing  companies. 

Where  can  we  find  a better  illustrated 
vovk  on  the  Yellowstone  park  than 
Vonderland?  It  is  very  nearly  equaled 
)ythe  Canadian  National  park,  and  the 
vhole  great  West  is  pictured  and  de- 
cribed  in  booklets  on  Colorado,  Cali- 
ornia,  the  Yosemite,  the  Big  trees,  the 
jrrand  canon,  and  all  the  rest. 

Similar  booklets  for  the  Middle  West, 
iast,  and  South  are  issued  by  railroads 
n those  sections  of  the  country.  Let- 
ers  to  the  advertising,  emigration,  or 
passenger  agent,  explaining  that  the 
)ooklets  will  be  put  in  the  librar)/  and 
ised  for  reference,  usually  meet  with  a 
generous  response. 

Throughout  the  West  the  boards  of 
rade  also  have  descriptive  literature 
or  distribution.  Our  geographical  de- 
Dartment  has  benefited  by  such  publica- 
ions  from  Washington,  Oregon,  Idaho, 
ind  California. 

For  miscellaneous  examples  of  other 
Dookletsof  information  issued  as  adver- 


13 


tisements,  we  have  Pillsbury’s  Flour,  the. 
Corticelli  Company’s  Silk,  and  the  Pa-’ 
cific  Coast  Borax  Company’s  Death 
valley.  Plow  are  we  to  learn  about 
them?  Read  advertisements  and  keep 
our  eyes  open.  The  picture  on  a pack-j 
age  of  pulverized  borax  made  me  think) 
of  writing  to  that  company. 

A collection  of  pictures  of  informa- 
tion is  now  one  of  the  requisites  of  a 
reference  library,  and  advertisers  help 
to  supply  them  Some  of  their  book- 
lets are  beautifully  illustrated.  One 
from  the  Chicago  National  Bank  has 
colored  reproductions  of  their  frescoes 
of  historic  Chicago.  The  Singer  Sew- 
ing Machine  Company  has  sets  of  views 
illustrating  pioneer  history  and  United 
States  scenery.  They  will  send  them 
for  the  postage,  i cent  a package. 

Some  of  the  railroads  send  out  beau- 
tiful pictures  upon  occasion.  Last  fall 
they  contributed  generously  to  a picture 
exhibit  which  is  described  in  Public  Li- 
braries for  January  1906.  Many  of  the 
donations  were  undoubtedly  sent  to  a 
state  institution  that  would  not  be  as 
accessible  ^ a smaller  place.  Besides 
that,  the  undertaking  cost  a great  deal 
of  time  and  effort,  together  with  the 
outlay  of  money,  to  secure,  mount,  ar- 
range and  care  for  about  350  pictures. 
The  reward  is  a valuable  and  interesting 
collection  that  we  use  a great  deal  and 


14 


ionietimes  have  the  pleasure  of  loan- 
ng. 

'Hie  art  department  of  the  Norma! 
iniversity  has  had  a good  many  picture 
•xhibits.  Some  book  publishers  loan 
'he  originals  of  their  illustrations,  and 
.rt  companies  such  as  the  Horace  K. 
Turner  Company,  Boston,  and  the  Art 
education  Company,  Chicago,  make  a 
usinessof  sending  out  exhibits  These 
re  all  advertisements.  They  always 
ring  some  expense  and  a great  deal  of 
'ork,  but  upon  occasion  the  library 
enefits  by  the  interest  they  create. 
Corporations  are  as  desirous  of  dis- 
iminating  information  as  we  are._  They 
ave  developed  the  art  of  advertising  to 
a extent  that  is  greatly  to  our  advan- 
ige.  They  have  so  many  beautiful  and 
elpful  publications  that  if  it  were  not 
) ephemeral,  we  should  need  a bibli- 
?raphy  of  advertising  literature.  As 
is,  we  find  it  more  useful  to  keep  a 
emorandum  of  effective  advertisers 
an  of  individual  publications.  The 
pply  is  so  abundant  and  varied  that 
IS  another  instance  of  the  necessity 
selecting  only  that  which  is  needed 
rneet  our  particular  requirements. 
Evidently  free  publications  include 
wide  range  of  resources  beneficial  to 
e public,  reaching  all  the  wav  from  an 
vertising  card  to  a traveling  library 
d a scholarly  monograph. 


15 


We  have  not  yet  selected  our  thi 
book  for  the  reference  department  o^ 
small  library.  Perhaps  you  don’t  e , 
agree  with  me  about  the  first  t 
Book  selection  is  a careful  matter  un 
such  circumstances  as  ours.  Itbeco 
easier,  the  more  we  know  about  tk 
and  the  more  money  and  time  we  ha 
Perhaps  this  review  of  our  resources:' 
help  us  to  increase  our  informatic 
money  and  time.  We  have  atourse 
ice  the  knowledge  and  advice  of  tho 
wiser  and  more  experienced  to  gui 
us  in  doing  our  work,  saving  our  tir 
and  choosing  our  books.  There 
works  on  library  economy  that  meet  q 
needs  and  are  within  our  means.  The 
are  bibliographies  equally  useful  an 
accessible.  There  is  valuable  literatu 
freely  at  our  service,  much  of  which 
could  not  buy  if  we  would.  It  will  tak 
time  and  intelligence  to  benefit  by  ih; 
abundance,  and  to  increase  the  pow 
and  influence  of  our  libraries  as  the 
may  be  increased.  If  we  can  only  lear 
not  to  be  penny  wise  and  pound  foolisi 
not  to  save  a penny’s  worth  of  outlay 
the  expense  of  a pound’s  worth  ol  tirv. 
and  effort,  and  to  omit  the  nonessc 
tials  and  attend  to  the  essentials  sk- 
fully,  we  can  accomplish  it.  And  ?' 
resources  themselves  will  help  us  to 
quire  this  knowledge  and  skill. 


